| Math can be hard. Monday through Friday we sit | | | | pictures of the cups, quarts and gallons. Third, use |
| at the table next to our children and do math | | | | numbers to represent the real objects and work |
| problems. It takes forever to do just one page. | | | | the problems. Don't rush the steps, make sure he |
| Sometimes it feels like it is the only subject we | | | | has mastered the word problems in this order: |
| get to. It becomes a monster... a math monster. | | | | physical, then pictures, then numbers |
| We wonder if we should change math books or | | | | representations. |
| go back to the beginning of the one we're already | | | | During your homeschool years, read at least one |
| in. Maybe speed drills will help or paying more | | | | good Math History book with your child. Two very |
| attention to word problems. Math wasn't hard for | | | | good examples are: |
| us when we were in school. How come our kids | | | | * How Math Works, published by Readers Digest |
| can't get it? | | | | * Fractals, Googols and other Mathematical Tales |
| Math is important too. It determines whether our | | | | by Theoni Pappas |
| son will be able to understand high school and | | | | After your child is proficient in decimal and fraction |
| college science subjects. Fifty percent of the SAT | | | | problems, I highly recommend he begin to use a |
| score is Math. And every child needs to know | | | | calculator to do all his math problems. He should |
| how to balance his or her checkbook and figure | | | | learn to use a scientific graphing calculator. Using a |
| the interest costs of money he or she will borrow | | | | scientific graphing calculator is a subject in itself |
| as adults. Yes, math is a very important part of | | | | and takes a lot of practice. His college classes and |
| modern life. It can be hard to determine what we | | | | exams will require it. And there are so many |
| really want our children to know math wise. Here | | | | complicated math problems that can not be |
| are a few suggestions: | | | | efficiently worked without a scientific calculator. |
| Teach your child to add, subtract, multiply (by | | | | Believe me, even with the use of this calculator |
| fifth grade, he should know his multiplication tables | | | | his problems will be tough to work. Today, math |
| very well) and divide. This is a lot to learn and it | | | | is so much more than doing calculations by hand |
| usually takes until sixth grade to be proficient at | | | | and he will need time to master this advanced |
| basic math computations. After all, that's why | | | | work. |
| they call it long division, because it takes so long | | | | If you are becoming overwhelmed reading this |
| to learn how to do it! Don't worry now about | | | | and are thinking that you will never be able to |
| Algebra; worry about whether your son can do | | | | teach upper level mathematics, don't worry. |
| long division by himself. After this, concentrate on | | | | There are many fine homeschool math classes to |
| fractions and decimals. Go over and over them | | | | be found. When your child gets to advanced |
| until he really knows them. This will take longer | | | | math, you can either learn along with him or send |
| than you expected. | | | | him to an outside math class. Or you can use a |
| Next, concentrate on word problems. If your child | | | | math tutor or math instruction videos. |
| has trouble with word problems follow these | | | | This new century's math world will be a lot |
| steps: First, work the problems out physically. This | | | | different than the last century. It will be filled with |
| means use real cups, quarts and gallons and | | | | the huge numbers in outer space or the tiniest |
| actually measure and pour the water. Even if it is | | | | numbers of the microscopic and cellular world. |
| a word problem about two cars driving toward | | | | Your child's ability to understand and work in this |
| each other, you can use small matchbox cars for | | | | world will be tightly intertwined with his math |
| a physical demonstration. Keep working with the | | | | ability. So set your child's math sights high and |
| real physical objects until the problem is mastered. | | | | prepare him well for the future. |
| Second, move on to drawing pictures. Draw | | | | |